Hand bag and frame therefor



F. J. QUIGAN HANDBAG AND FRAMES THEREFOR Dec, 9, 1930.

Filed Oo t F jbg ENT oR 7W7? Ill (1% BY 6 fiid M ATTORNEY Patented Dec. d, 1930 PATENT OFFlCE FRANK J. QUIGAN, or Jackson HEIGHTS, new rom:

HANDBAG AND FRAME TEEREFOB Application filed October 12, 1929. Serial No. 399,118.

This invention relates to handbags and frames therefor, and has for its primary object and purpose to provide a handbag of that type wherein the edges of the bag fabric are slidably secured within inverted channel frame members having upwardly and outwardly opening continuous channels therein. More particularly, it-is the object of my present invention to provide an improved fasio tening or securing means for the two pivotally or hingedly connected frame members to secure the same against casual relative movement when the bag is closed, and which fastening or securing means is completely covl cred and concealed from view by the handbag fabric.

lit is a further general object of the invention to provide an improved handbag and frame therefor as above characterized, the

several parts of which are of simple mechanica form and can be readily assembled so that bags of this character may be produced at nominal manufacturing cost.

The invention finds its embodiment instrucbag frame, and a latching. means carried by and disposed below the frame parts at the lower part of the channel by the undersides of said frame members, to releasably hold the frame parts in closed position. i

In the drawings, wherein it have illustrated v several simple and practical forms of my invention, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,-

Figure l is a side elevation, a part of the body of the handbag being omitted, and showing the two frame members secured together in closed position;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the frame;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. i is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4: of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and showing the frame members separated or in the open position;

Fig. 6 is a detail fragmentary side elevation showing a slightly modified form of the-fastening means for the frame members, and

tures having the inverted U-shaped channel- 'side of the frame members "and extend down- Fig. 7 is a detail transverse sectional view illustrating a further alternative form of'the fastening or securing means for'the frame members.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the two frame members 5 are of similar form, and each is produced from a strip of sheet metal die-stamped into channel form in cross section. As herein shown, these frame memg bers are provided with parallel side arms, theieo correspondin 'arms of said frame members being pivota ly or hingedly connected together as at 6 in the usual manner. The channels 7 of the respective frame members open upwardly and outwardly so that it will as be understood that the inner sides of these channels are completely closed throughout the length of the frame member by the base wall of the channel. These inverted channel frames or inverted 'U-shaped frames, are of '70 course, well known in the art. Heretofore, the inner channel wall of each frame at its approximate center had secured to it an upwardly projecting fastening member, said members having parts adapted to cooperate when the frame members are brought together in face to face relation to thereby secure said frame members in such osition and close the bag. It is desirable, in ags of this type to reduce to a minimum, the number of angularly projecting metal parts which are visibly exposed beyond the edges of-the bag fabric, thus enhancing theneat and attractive appearance of such bags. 1

I therefore, propose to conceal such fastenas ing or securing means for the two frame members by attaching the same to the respective members so they are wholly disposed below the upper or outer edges of said members and entirely covered by the bag fabric, and therefore, concealed from view when the bag is closed. To this end, in one embodiment, the fastening orsecuring members for the frame parts are in the form of relatively short metal plates indicated at 8 which are secured to the ase or inner walls of the respective inverted channel frames as indicated at 9 by riveting, soldering or the like. In the embodiment, the latching means are carried-by the underwardly from the bottom of the walls of the horizontal portions of said frame members. These plates 8 extend in relatively opposlte directions from the approximate center of the frame members, and their opposed ends are angularly offset and extend towards each other as at 10, said end portions of the plates 8 projecting beyond the inner op osed faces of the respective frame parts 5. bus when thebag is closed and the frame members brought together as shown lI1 FlgS. 2 and 3, the end portions 10 of the latch plates 8 w1ll coact with each other, and though relat vely rigid will resiliently yield in relatlvel opposite directions, assuming substantla ly the positions as shown in Fig. 3 so that the two frame parts will be held tightly closed against casual relative pivotal movement to the open position.

In order to facilitate the separation of the frame members against the holding action of .the latch plates 8, I provide in theembodiment each of the frame parts 5, preferably on the inner wall thereof, with an upwardly extending finger piece shownat 11. As 1ndicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, these finger pieces are mounted and arranged so as to extend in opposite directions from the approximate center of the frame members so that pressure may be easily applied with the fingers against opposite sides of said finger pieces, thereby separating or forcing the frame parts 5 away from each other, and overcoming the resilient holding action of the engaged end portions 10 of the latch plates.

These finger pieces 11, thus are operated only to open the bag, while the frame members are held securly in closed position by the latch parts on the inner or base walls of the channel frames. The finger pieces may thus be made asinconspicuous as desired, and may assume various ornamental forms or sha es which would not be permissible, if these 'nger pieces also are provided with coacting.

parts latching the two frames in closed position.

The bag fabric indicated at 12 has the upper and side edges of its opposite side walls extended over and completely covering the outer sides of the frame parts 5 and inwardly over the upper edges of the outer walls of said parts and hence downwardly into the channels thereof. The edges of the fabric may be fixedly held in the channels in any preferred manner, as by clinching together the side walls of the c annel frames at opposite sides of the fabric material. It will be noted that the bag frame fabric is passed over the upper edges of and about the outer walls and secured in the channels ingependent-ly of the latching or securing memers.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, I have shown a different form of the fastening or holding means for the bag frame members, which, in-

sofar as the location and attachment of the latch parts to the frames is concerned, is the same as that. above referred to, but wherein the respective latch plates at their free ends are provided with the conventional spherical terminals or balls 13 disposed below and in spaced relation to the closed sides of the re spective channel frames, the end portions of the latch plates being curved downwardly and readily yielding to the frictional engagement of the inner opposed sides of the balls 13 with each other as the frame members are brought to the closed position.

In Fig. 7 I show a somewhat different form of fastening ,or holding means for the frame parts, in which one angularly bent end of a resiliently yieldable latch plate 14 is welded, soldered or otherwise fixedly secured to the outer side wall of one of the channel frames, the unsecured part of the latch plate extending transversely and inwardly beneath the frame part and .having a spherical or ball terminal 15 slightly spaced from the inner side of said frame part. The other or complementary frame part at a corresponding location is provided with an upwardly pressed portion or indentation 16 in its base wall, thus formingan external cavity or seat indicated at 17. As the two frame members are brought together to the closed position, the inner lower edge of the frame member liavin the seat 17 bears upon the upper portion 0 the ball terminal 15 of the latch plate and forces the same downwardly until the inner opposed walls and frame members are in face to face contact when the latch plate 8. rings upwardly and the ball terminal 15 t ereof snaps into the cavity 17 and closely seats against the surface thereof. Thus in this construction, it will be seen' that although the two frame parts may be securely fastened or held' in closed position, only one of these parts need be provided with a relatively yieldable fastening or holding-latch element.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and several advantages of my invention as herein described will be clearly understood. As hereinbefore stated, the use of m improved fastening or securing means for t e frame parts and bags of this type enables the said fastening means to be rendered invisible by the bag fabric or material which extends over and completely conceals such fastening means. It will also be noted that in each of the forms illustrated, the construction of the parts is exceedingly simple and that they may be quickly and securely applied or attached in proper cooperating relation to the relatively movable parts of the bag frame. While I have herein shown and described several desirable practical forms of my invention, it will nevertheless, be understood that the same is susceptible of embodiment in still other alternative structural forms, and I therefore, reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes therein as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a handba frame comprising opposed frame mem ers having their corresponding ends hingedly connected, and each of said frame members provided with a continuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel in which the handbag fabric extending over the outer sides of the frame members is adapted to be secured; means for holding said frame members against separation consisting of relatively yieldable coacting latch parts carried by said frame members and located contiguous to the closed bottom walls and exterior to'said channels of the frame members wherebysaid latch parts will be entirely covered and concealed by the opposite side walls of the handbag fabric, and finger pieces carried by the frame members opposite to the respective latch parts and projecting outwardly therefrom for use in separating said frame members against the holding action ofsaid latch means.

2. In a handbag frame comprising opposed frame members having their corresponding ends hingedly connected and each of said frame members provided with an upwardly and outwardly opening continuous channel in which the handbag fabric covering the titer sides of the frame members is adapted .o be secured; means for holding said frame members against separation consisting of resiliently yieldable latch parts carried by the respective frame members and secured to the base walls of the frame channels and having free end portions angularly offset with relation to said channel walls, and extending inwardly from the respective frame members for-yieldable latching engagement independently of the frame members, when the frame members are disposed in face to face contact, said latch parts adapted to be entirely covered and concealed by the fabric walls of the handbag.

3. In a handbag frame including a frame consisting of opposed frame parts having.

their corresponding ends hinged together, each of said parts being provided with a con tinuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel, handbag fabric forming the body of the bag extending over the outer sides of the frame members and having its edges secured within the channels thereof; coacting latch parts projecting inwardly from the base walls of the respective frame members to releasably secure said members against separation, and

said latch parts being wholly concealed from view by said handbag fabric when the bag is closed, and a finger piece carried by the frame 4. In a handbag frame comprising opposed frame members having their corresponding ends hingedly connected, and each of said frame members provided with a continuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel in whichthe handbag fabric extending over the outer sides of the frame members is adapted to be secured; means for releasably latching said frame members together against separation, said means consisting of a latching element fiXecLat one of its endsito one of said frame members and having its other free end projecting transversely beneath and inwardly beyond the base wall of the frame channel. and a part on the base wall of the channel of the other frame member with which the free end of said element has latching engagement. 1

5. In a handbag frame comprising opposed frame members having their corresponding ends hingedly connected, and each of said frame membersprovided with a continuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel in which the handbag fabric extending over the outer sides of the frame members is adapted to be secured; means for releasably latching said frame memberstogether against separation, said means consisting of a latching element rigidly fixed at one of its ends to the base wall of the channel of one of the frame members and projecting transversely at its other free end beneath said base wall and inwardly beyond the same, and a part on the base wall of the channel of the other frame member with which the free end of said elemerit-has latching engagement.

6. in a handba frame comprising opposed frame mom ers having their corresponding ends hingedly connected, each of said frame members having a continuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel in which the handbag fabric extending over the outer sides of the frame members is adapted to be secured; latch means for said frame members including a part rigidly fixed to one of said frame-members having an end portion projecting transversely beneath said frame member and beyond, the inner side thereof and yieldable relative to said frame member, and the other of said frame members having means releasably engageable by said yieldable portion of the latch part to retain said frame members in closed position, the outer sides of said frame members and the latch means being wholly covered and concealed by the handbag fabric.

7. In a handbag frame including a frame consisting of opposed frame parts having their corresponding ends hinged together, each of said parts being provided with a continuous upwardly and outwardly opening channel, handbag fabric forming the ice Mil)

illld channels; latching body of the bag extending over the'outer sides of the frame members and having its edges secured within the channels'thereof;

latching means carried by and disposed below the frame parts in closed osition.

8. In a hen bag frame comprising U- shaped members hinged together, .each mem,-

ber being channelled inwardly to provide spaced inner and outer walls extending upwardly and outwardly, whereb the upper and outer ends of the handbag abric can be passed over theouter surfaces of the outer walls of the channels and over the top edges of such walls and secured in position 1n such means carried by the undersides of said ame members, said latch ing means being independent of the securing means for the handbag fabric.

9. In a handbag com rising a frame made up of U-shaped mem ers hinged to each other at the free end of the legs of the U, each member being channeled inwardly to provide spaced inner and outer walls extending upwardly and outwardly; means for securing said frame members against separation comprising members exten ing downwardly from the bottom walls of the horizontal ortions of said frame members, and ban ba fabric passed over the upper edges of an about t e outer walls and secured in the channels independently of said securing members.

In testimon that I claimthe foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name hereto. I

FRANK J. QUIGAN.

arts at the lower closed edges of said cha'nne s to releasably hold the frame 

